PORTAGEVILLE -- Lauren Marie Ferrell and James Richard "Jim" Brands were united in marriage during a 1:30 p.m. ceremony May 20, 2006, at St. Eustachius Catholic Church in Portageville. The Rev. Allan Saunders officiated.
Parents are of the bride are Tim and Mary Ann Ferrell of Portageville, the bridegroom is the son of Richard and Rita Brands of Portageville.
Mass servers were Aaron Utterback and J.P. Utterback of Portageville, friends of the bride. Program attendant was Trevor Brands of Portageville, cousin of the bridegroom, and guest book attendant was Amy Boyd of Portageville, friend of the bride.
Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an ivory satin halter gown accented with crystals and beading. The bustled train was accented with the same crystals and beading. Her ivory fingertip veil was accented with a single band of ivory satin. Her flowers were a tropical mix of calla lilies, gerbera daisies and gladiolas.
Lindsey Ferrell of Portageville served her sister as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Emma Fitzwater of Caruthersville, cousin of the bride; and Erin Hartsfield of Caruthersville, Debbie Kay Mays of Bono, Ark., and Jennifer Dickson of Jonesboro, Ark., friends of the bride. They wore black satin V-
neck tea length dresses and carried tropical mix bouquets.
Caroline Fitzwater of Caruthersville, cousin of the bride; and Allison Sullenger of Nashville, Tenn., friend of the bride, were flower girls. They wore ivory tea length dresses with black satin sashes.
Best man was Richard Mays of Bono, friend of the bridegroom. Groomsmen were Richard Slayton of Jonesboro, Robert Glenn Gill of Cape Girardeau, Robert Harper of Cape Girardeau and Brandon Sigmin of Jonesboro, all friends of the bridegroom. The bridegroom and groomsmen wore formal black tuxedos with calla lilies as their boutonnieres.
Chase Haertling, nephew of the bridegroom and son of Carri and Jason Haertling of Fairview Heights, Ill., served as ring bearer.
Ushers were Ron Allen Kimes of Portageville, friend of the bride; Matt Carter of New Madrid, cousin of the bridegroom; Ryan Gill of Portageville, friend of the bridegroom; and Jared Brands of Portageville, cousin of the bridegroom. A reception followed at Rone Hall in Portageville, where a meal was catered by Southern Catering of Caruthersville. Cake was served by Laura Carter of New Madrid, cousin of the bridegroom.
Following a wedding trip to Sandals Dunns River in Jamaica, the new Mr. and Mrs. Brands are making their home in Memphis, Tenn.